Guillermo del Toro Adds Quirky 1920s Bungalow to Portfolio

[waterslide]

Guillermo del Toro Adds Quirky 1920s Bungalow to Portfolio

By Wendy Bowman
July 11, 2022 8:20 pm PT

Guillermo Del Toro House Santa Monica


Buyer
Guillermo del Toro

Location
Santa Monica, Calif.

Price
$4.2 million

Year
1924

Specs
3,555 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms

Lot Size
0.17 acres

Guillermo del Toro already lays claim to several Los Angeles-area homes — most famously, the two-home compound known as Bleak House, where he reportedly stores his vast collection of books, artwork, movie memorabilia and other artifacts. But the Oscar-winning filmmaker, widely known for his fantasy/horror films “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “The Shape of Water,” has decided to expand his real estate portfolio.

This time, he’s doled out $4.2 million for an eclectic pueblo-esque structure in a desirable neighborhood pocket of Santa Monica. Built way back in the 1920s, but since completely remodeled and modernized, records show the eye-catching property sold to the 57-year-old Mexico native in a bidding war, for around $300,000 over the asking price. The place last traded hands for about $3.4 million almost eight years ago, back in 2014.

Del Toro’s new single-story dwelling rests on a compact parcel secured by walls and a gated entrance that leads into a grassy front yard. Inside, five bedrooms and a matching number of baths are filtered across a little more than 3,500 square feet of living space punctuated throughout with a mix of hardwood and tile floors, curving plaster walls, arched doorways, vintage light fixtures and stained-glass windows.

Among the highlights: an entry foyer that leads into a spacious formal living room sporting a floor-to-ceiling masonry fireplace and built-in shelving, plus a formal dining room topped by an ornate chandelier. A sleekly designed kitchen is outfitted with all-white cabinetry accented by colorful backsplashes and high-end stainless appliances, and includes a windowed breakfast nook boasting a table and built-in seating.

An inviting master retreat comes complete with a large walk-in closet, and luxe spa-inspired bath equipped with dual vanities, a clawfoot soaking tub and steam shower. Elsewhere is a media room spilling out to a stone-clad central courtyard ideal for al fresco lounging and entertaining with a cozy fire-pit and barbecue; a detached two-car garage out back also hosts a separate bonus room with a kitchenette and bath.

The listing was held by Bjorn Farrugia, Alphonso Lascano and Joe Goodhue of Hilton & Hyland; Dave White of Sotheby’s International Realty repped the buyer.






















Dirt

[sputnik]

i love this, it's quirky and i like the small size. but the awful generic HGTV kitchen makes me sad. i can't help but wonder what the original cabinets and floor looked like. too bad people aren't more thoughtful when renovating/restoring old houses.

[o0amber0o]

It's OK, I like it more than a lot of the other rich people houses I've seen, and I like the bones of it but that $3/yd fake grass in the backyard is a complete abomination and I agree about the kitchen. In general I am so over the all white kitchen, white is a nightmare for me but an all white kitchen? There's no way unless I had someone coming in everyday to clean it.

I like a lot of the furniture pieces and I'm curious about that round room in the bathroom? Is that the shower? Is it a steam/sauna? Kind of neat.

[trixie]

Again, a lot of white but it's less boring than Christian Slater's. Love the stained glass windows.

I agree about the white kitchen, it looks out of place there. I'm so glad I went with actual wood (cherry) kitchen cabinets instead of all the trendy crap you see. Which will be dated in 10 years.

[waterslide]

I think that is a shower...it's the most whimsical shower I've ever seen.

I like that it's small and comfortable looking and has the little walkway with string lights to make it feel like a tiny village or something.

I wonder what the kitchen looked like before, too. The house was built in 1924 so it probably had some color and flair in it. I don't see the point in completely gutting rooms when you can at least try to update the appliances and decor and still keep the original esthetic of the house.

I think this is kind of what I would imagine Guillermo del Toro's house to look like, too...

[MsDark]

I love this. It's nicer than the Christian Slater house.

The kitchen does look a little out of place compared to to the rest of the house.

[czb]

i love this. yeah, the kitchen is kinda blah. i am surprised they didn't at least go for some moorish tile for the backsplash.

@amber - a lot of people are now going for turf out here. given the water shortage it makes sense. another reason we got turf is because of the moles/gophers, they tear up everything and it is a battle.

[beeyotch]

I really loved the xeroscaping I saw in California. I could see it might be more expensive if you want it to look nice, but still seems worth it, and in keeping with the native climate. I can't keep grass or plants alive, so I fully embrace rocks-for-lawns.

[o0amber0o]

Oh I totally get the not dealing with grass but I think if you're gohng to fake it spend money on it, especially if you have it. It looks so cheap in this instance when the rest of the outdoor space is quite nice.

[czb]

i see what you are saying.

it is hard to find turf that looks good. i think ours looks ok but it wasn't cheap. and needed special installation. bonus points because it holds up to animal pee (most turfs do not).

[notoriousmkg]

3,500 square feet is not a bungalow.

[imnotbitter]

Ooh, I love it!

[Cartermrc]

I miss the stucco exteriors in California, too damp in western Oregon for it!

[no1novice]

Jul 17, 2022 14:22:16 GMT sputnik said:

i love this, it's quirky and i like the small size. but the awful generic HGTV kitchen makes me sad. i can't help but wonder what the original cabinets and floor looked like. too bad people aren't more thoughtful when renovating/restoring old houses.

I don't understand the curtains around the sofas unless it's a brothel???

[waterslide]

Aug 15, 2022 9:51:49 GMT no1novice said:

Jul 17, 2022 14:22:16 GMT sputnik said:

i love this, it's quirky and i like the small size. but the awful generic HGTV kitchen makes me sad. i can't help but wonder what the original cabinets and floor looked like. too bad people aren't more thoughtful when renovating/restoring old houses.

I don't understand the curtains around the sofas unless it's a brothel???

Maybe it was a brothel?  People by me have been known to renovate their small bungalows and end up finding a surprise speakeasy under their house.